Andrew l



Patented May 9, I899.

A. L. BIKER. SAFETY [IONTROLLER LEVER FUR AUTOMOBILE VEHICLES.

(Application filed May 2a, 1998.

(No Model.)

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NIED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW L. BIKER, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

SAFETY CONTROLLER-LEVER FOR AUTOMOB ILE VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,685, dated May 9, 1899. Application filed May 23, 1898. Serial No. 681,540. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW L. BIKER, of

New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Safety Convehicles is accomplished through the manipulation of alever called the controller-lever. In one of the positions of the controller-lever power is entirely out off from the motor and the vehicle is at rest, and any movement of the lever admits power to the motor and starts the vehicle either backward or forward, as the case may be. Unless provisions are made to guard against it the controller-lever is liable to be moved inopportunely=as, for example, when children or others ignorant of the consequences of moving the lever are getting in or out of the vehicle. Should the lever by accident be thrown so as to apply the power and start the vehicle from a state of rest when none but inexperienced persons were in the same;serious results might follow.

It is the object of my present invention to provide means securely retaining the lever in its cut-off positionthat is, in that position which it occupieswhen the power is entirely out oif from the motor and the vehicle is at rest.

To this end my invention consists of a controller-lever having an arm projecting from a slot therein and lying when the vehicle is at rest between lugs on the vehicle-bodyftogether with means on the lever for withdrawing the arm from between the lugs.

My invention will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a vehicle-body with my improved controllerlever attached thereto and shown in the position which it occupies when the vehicle is going ahead. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1, with the lever in position it occupies when the vehicle is at rest, parts being broken away; and Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1, the lever being in section.

around the axis of the shaft D.

.rod l-I, having an arm E formed at right angles thereto and projecting outwardly through the slot h, while a suitable spring k acting between oppositely-disposed shoulders in the tube and on the rod, serves to elevate the rod H, so that the end thereof projects through the upper end of the controller-lever L, and the arm E is near the top of the slot h. When the lug is in this position, it is opposite the lugs a bthat is, these lugs lie in the path of the arm as the controller-lever oscillates In. throwing the lever the operator grasps the enlarged handle end of the lever, places his thumb on the projecting end h of the rod H, and depresses it against the tension of the spring h thereby lowering the arm E below the lugs a b, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and per mitting the free oscillation of the lever. When the vehicle is at rest and the controller stands at zero, the controller-leverstands upright, and the arm Estands between the lugs a and 12, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) therebypreventing the lever from being'accidentally thrown into position to turn on the current, as might happen, forinstance, if a careless person were to grasp the lever to assist him in entering the vehicle.

The device described is simple in construction, interferes to the minimum degree with the operation of the controller-lever, and at the same time effectually prevents any accidental movement of the lever when the vehicle is at rest.

What I claim is 4 In a motor-vehicle, a tubular controllerlever provided with an opening in the end and a slot through the side thereof,fa rod in said tubular lever having an arm projecting through said slot, a spring in said tubularlever engaging the rod and normally holding the end of the rod projecting from the lever and the arm on said rod in the upper portion of said slot, in combination with spaced lugs 0n the vehicle normally standing in the path of said arm when the'lever is moved, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ANDREW L.- BIKER.

Witnesses:

Tnos. L. PROOTOR, A. O. SoHULz. 

